Edinburgh School of EnglishEdinburgh, Scotland

The Octorial programme is a non-traditional, intensive course that focuses on helping students to use English to accomplish their specific needs and goals.

The main focus of the programme is improving your communicative ability in English (both verbal and written language production) and promotes speaking and interaction while building core skills.


Course Content

Morning Plenary
Designed to bring students together at the start of the school day. The morning plenary acts as a warm-up session.

Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric
These lessons build the core skills of grammar and sentence structure and the art of constructing an argument.

Language Analysis and Practice
These lessons use a wide variety of authentic materials such as literary texts, news articles, research reports and current affairs audio and video to build new vocabulary and develop listening comprehension skills and speaking skills.

Spoken Performance Workshop
Students are given set tasks which challenge them to develop their speaking and active expression in the language. There is also a focus on non-verbal communication such as body language.

Team Project
Each week, students work in small teams to produce and deliver a project at the end of the week.

Mentored Dissertation
This is a piece of work which is personal to the learner’s study objectives and which is completed over the duration of the course. It is tailored to the level of the student and can include: a piece of research, a video project, a collection of essays, a piece of creative writing, a personal statement and CV, written texts for a personal portfolio, exam practice texts and exam essay writing under timed conditions.

Our Octorial programme is a non-traditional, intensive course that focuses on helping students to use English to accomplish their specific needs and goals.


The main focus of the programme is improving your communicative ability in English (both verbal and written language production) and promotes speaking and interaction while building core skills.



Language skills lessons content

Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric
These lessons build the core skills of grammar and sentence structure and the art of constructing an argument.

Comprehension, Vocabulary and Précis
These lessons use a wide variety of authentic materials such as literary texts, news articles, research reports and current affairs audio and video to build new vocabulary and develop listening comprehension skills and speaking skills.

Composition and Text Analysis
These lessons focus on developing the student’s skills and flair for written English. Students work on practice exercises in a range of styles and registers including creative writing, short stories, improvisation, essay writing, reports on researched topics, reviews, commentaries and literary criticism.

Communication skills workshops content

Spoken Performance Workshop
Students are given set tasks which challenge them to develop their speaking and active expression in the language.

Team Project
Each week, students work in small teams to produce and deliver a project at the end of the week.

Mentored Dissertation
This is a piece of work which is personal to the learner’s study objectives and which is completed over the duration of the course. It is tailored to the level of the student and can include: a piece of research, a video project, a collection of essays, a piece of creative writing, a personal statement and CV, written texts for a personal portfolio, exam practice texts and exam essay writing under timed conditions.

The course consists of 25 hours per week plus 5 hours of individual tuition.

Course content

Morning Plenary
Designed to bring students together at the start of the school day. The morning plenary acts as a warm-up session.

Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric
These lessons build the core skills of grammar and sentence structure and the art of constructing an argument.

Language Analysis and Practice
The Language Analysis and Practice lessons use a wide variety of authentic materials such as literary texts, news articles, research reports and current affairs audio and video to build new vocabulary and develop listening comprehension skills and speaking skills.

Spoken Performance Workshop
Students are set tasks which challenge them to develop their speaking and active expression in the language.

Team Project
Each week, students work in small teams to produce and deliver a project at the end of the week. Students also develop problem solving, collaboration, organisation and planning skills.

Mentored Dissertation
The Mentored Dissertation is a piece of work which is personal to the learner’s study objectives and which is completed over the duration of the course. It is tailored to the level of the student and can include: a piece of research, a video project, a collection of essays, a piece of creative writing, a personal statement and CV, written texts for a personal portfolio, exam practice texts and exam essay writing under timed conditions.

The programme provides the incentive for children to develop practical and creative skills alongside increased language competence. Project work, drama activities and games build students' language skills and confidence in a safe and fun environment. Content is introduced through stories and songs, which connect deeply with young children. This creates the best conditions for developing language knowledge and making the maximum possible progress.

The programme channels the energy and creativity of young people into the real life achievements of academic results and personal growth. Students graduate from their summer programmes inspired for further study with new language skills, international friendships, wider horizons and lasting memories. The courses for young learners focus on developing students’ confidence using English by developing the real- world skills necessary for life in an increasingly globalised world.

Lessons are fast-paced and encourage the students to engage with authentic English language materials. Challenging and creative homework encourages the development of autonomous learning skills, and takes learning out of the classroom and into everyday life.

The demanding Academic programme starts with Living Language, which encourages learners to explore the English language as it is really used, and fosters an interest in and enjoyment of the intricacies of language. This is followed by Spoken Performance Workshop, which features presentations, drama and debates. This challenges the students by focusing on pronunciation, intonation, voice projection and the ability to perform under pressure.

The syllabus includes a project component in which the students work in small teams to produce and present a project to their fellow students and others. Team Project fosters an ability to interact with others and involves problem solving and helps to incorporate new language in a meaningful context.

Full-board accommodation in residence is included. Each afternoon a full programme of sports and cultural activities is planned, and there are excursions every weekend.

The programme channels the energy and creativity of young people into the real life achievements of academic results and personal growth. Students graduate from their summer programmes inspired for further study with new language skills, international friendships, wider horizons and lasting memories. The courses for young learners focus on developing students’ confidence using English by developing the real- world skills necessary for life in an increasingly globalised world.

Lessons are fast-paced and encourage the students to engage with authentic English language materials. Challenging and creative homework encourages the development of autonomous learning skills, and takes learning out of the classroom and into everyday life.

The demanding Academic programme starts with Living Language, which encourages learners to explore the English language as it is really used, and fosters an interest in and enjoyment of the intricacies of language. This is followed by Spoken Performance Workshop, which features presentations, drama and debates. This challenges the students by focusing on pronunciation, intonation, voice projection and the ability to perform under pressure.

The syllabus includes a project component in which the students work in small teams to produce and present a project to their fellow students and others. Team Project fosters an ability to interact with others and involves problem solving and helps to incorporate new language in a meaningful context.

The programme provides the incentive for children to develop practical and creative skills alongside increased language competence. Project work, drama activities and games build students' language skills and confidence in a safe and fun environment. Content is introduced through stories and songs, which connect deeply with young children. This creates the best conditions for developing language knowledge and making the maximum possible progress.

The programme channels the energy and creativity of young people into the real life achievements of academic results and personal growth. Students graduate from their summer programmes inspired for further study with new language skills, international friendships, wider horizons and lasting memories. The courses for young learners focus on developing students’ confidence using English by developing the real- world skills necessary for life in an increasingly globalised world.

Lessons are fast-paced and encourage the students to engage with authentic English language materials. Challenging and creative homework encourages the development of autonomous learning skills, and takes learning out of the classroom and into everyday life.

The demanding Academic programme starts with Living Language, which encourages learners to explore the English language as it is really used, and fosters an interest in and enjoyment of the intricacies of language. This is followed by Spoken Performance Workshop, which features presentations, drama and debates. This challenges the students by focusing on pronunciation, intonation, voice projection and the ability to perform under pressure.

The syllabus includes a project component in which the students work in small teams to produce and present a project to their fellow students and others. Team Project fosters an ability to interact with others and involves problem solving and helps to incorporate new language in a meaningful context.

Full-board accommodation in a trusted local homestay is included. Each afternoon a full programme of sports and cultural activities is planned, and there are excursions every weekend.

The programme channels the energy and creativity of young people into the real life achievements of academic results and personal growth. Students graduate from their summer programmes inspired for further study with new language skills, international friendships, wider horizons and lasting memories. The courses for young learners focus on developing students’ confidence using English by developing the real- world skills necessary for life in an increasingly globalised world.

Lessons are fast-paced and encourage the students to engage with authentic English language materials. Challenging and creative homework encourages the development of autonomous learning skills, and takes learning out of the classroom and into everyday life.

The demanding Academic programme starts with Living Language, which encourages learners to explore the English language as it is really used, and fosters an interest in and enjoyment of the intricacies of language. This is followed by Spoken Performance Workshop, which features presentations, drama and debates. This challenges the students by focusing on pronunciation, intonation, voice projection and the ability to perform under pressure.

The syllabus includes a project component in which the students work in small teams to produce and present a project to their fellow students and others. Team Project fosters an ability to interact with others and involves problem solving and helps to incorporate new language in a meaningful context.

One-to-one lessons offer students a programme which is designed precisely to their own unique requirements. In this way, you make the maximum possible progress because the teacher is able to focus on your needs and your personal learning style in every lesson.

Throughout the day, you can supplement your lessons with self-study in our quiet areas or self-access centre. This helps to consolidate the work done during lessons. Teachers set self-study exercises and give direction and guidance for students to maximise the consolidation time between lessons.

One-to-one lessons offer students a programme which is designed precisely to their own unique requirements. In this way, you make the maximum possible progress because the teacher is able to focus on your needs and your personal learning style in every lesson.

Throughout the day, you can supplement your lessons with self-study in our quiet areas or self-access centre. This helps to consolidate the work done during lessons. Teachers set self-study exercises and give direction and guidance for students to maximise the consolidation time between lessons.

Part of the Octorial programme. Afternoons have an exam specific focus.

The course comprises a mixture of lessons and workshops, and these combine to help students develop and practise the skills and abilities that are necessary not only for success in their exam, but also in order to operate effectively in English, communicating with both native and non-native speakers of English in a variety of contexts. The morning lessons and workshops focus on building the linguistic and life skills required to do this. Key skills covered include, spoken performance, critical reading, pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary building.

In the afternoon, the emphasis shifts to how students can best apply these skills to exam tasks in order to fully show their abilities as a B2 level user of English, to achieve high marks in each of the papers of the exam. The strategies that students are coached in will help them to navigate exam tasks with ease, allowing them to approach the test with confidence in their abilities.

Homework assignments and mock exams are used to monitor students’ progress, and to highlight any areas that may need more intensive work.

Part of the Octorial programme. Afternoons have an exam specific focus.

Morning lessons are devoted to developing the skills and linguistic abilities that are required to not only achieve success in the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam, but that will also enable the student to operate in English with ease across cultural and linguistic borders. These lessons and workshops allow students to develop linguistic flair, as well as key 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and leadership.

The afternoon lessons focus on how to apply these skills to exam tasks in order to achieve a high grade. Students are equipped with strategies that allow them to display their skills to the very best of their ability in all the papers of the C1 Advanced (CAE).

Learners are coached in the content of the exam, and strategies for understanding and navigating the test questions are explored and practised.

Tutors set assignments for homework, and mock tests, taken under exam conditions, allow both tutor and student to monitor progress, as well as highlighting areas and tasks which may require a highly targeted focus or more intensive work.

Part of the Octorial programme. Afternoons have an exam specific focus.

Part of the Octorial programme. Afternoons have an exam specific focus.

Course Content

Note Taking Skills

• Practice in taking notes and using notes to summarise listenings.
  
  Skimming and scanning skills
  
• Search for a main topic, topic sentences, supporting details and concluding thoughts.
  
• Scanning for pertinent data such as names, dates, numbers etc.
  
  Summarising and paraphrasing
  
• Students write 3 or 4 sentence summaries of a short passage.
  
• Students must paraphrase a set of sentences in their own words.
  
• Students practise identifying information and data from charts and graphs.
  
  Mind mapping
  
• The use of the mind map to plan a piece of writing.
  
• Use of mind maps to plan the introduction to an essay.
  
• Developing the body of the essay.
  
• Understanding the importance of the controlling idea.
  
  Polishing skills for the writing task and the speaking tasks
  
• Essay writing skills - checklist.
  
• Speaking test - final practice.

The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, or CELTA, is a qualification for proficient English speakers planning to teach English as a foreign language. The certificate is specifically designed for those with little or no previous teaching experience. Awarded by Cambridge ESOL, CELTA is one of the few internationally recognised English language teaching qualifications.

The course consists of 120 hours contact time with over 80 hours individual learning and six hours assessed teaching practice.

For secondary and adult teachers, a two week programme.
This course focuses purely on learning and teaching methodologies. It focuses on developing skills such as critical thinking, and participants are expected to take an active role in putting these ideas into action and planning how they will implement them when they return to their teaching context.

This course improves participants’ competence and confidence in English, as well as updating their methodology, classroom management, and practical teaching skills. Language and Methodology Refresher programmes are offered for both primary and secondary teachers.

This course improves participants’ competence and confidence in English, as well as updating their methodology, classroom management, and practical teaching skills. Language and Methodology Refresher programmes are offered for both primary and secondary teachers.

The Language and Methodology Refresher course aims to improve your competence and confidence in English as well as updating your methodology, classroom management and practical teaching skills.

The Language and Methodology Refresher course aims to improve your competence and confidence in English as well as updating your methodology, classroom management and practical teaching skills.